Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

The
Central Minimum Wage Council was held on June 14 to deliberate on the national
minimum wage, which will go into effect in October. Nearly 100 unions members
campaigning for a “substantial minimum wage hike” converged on the Health,
Labor and Welfare Ministry. They spoke through a microphone, demanding, “The
current national average hourly wage is 798 yen, and it is too low. Raise the
minimum wage right now and in each prefecture to 1000 yen, or better still 1500
yen!” During the central council, Health, Labor and Welfare Minister SHIOZAKI Yasuhisa emphasized, “The minimum wage hike is determined entirely by the economic
growth.”Under the government proposal
to raise the wage by 3 % each year (or by 24 yen), we have a long way to go
toward achieving the target amount of 1000 yen and up to 1500 yen, and we will
have little or no hope for that any time soon. SAITO Hiroki, an executive board
member of the National Confederation of Trade Unions commonly known as
Zenroren, sat in on the council meeting. “I was kicked out of the meeting as it
was closed to the public,” Saito said in a chagrined tone. He was allowed in
only at the beginning of the meeting. There are four council members
representing workers, all of whom are leaders of Rengo, Japanese Trade Unions
Confederation comprising major private companies. The 243 members of the
Prefectural Minimum Wage Council are all Rengo-related. There are only a few
female members, and no clear standard for electing and closed-door meetings.
“It seems impossible for the council to improve the minimum wage system,” Saito
said indignantly. (M)

It was
the people power that stopped an anti-Korean group’s hate demonstration called,
“demonstration to purify Kawasaki,” on June 5. Some 200 people gathered in
Nakahara Peace Park in response to a call for counter action by Kawasaki citizens’
network to eradicate hate speech. Meanwhile, around 20 people of the hate group
were only able to march forward for 10 meters before they were met with a
sit-in protest by the people. Citizens surrounded the group and protested fiercely
chanting and holding up banners and signs. The deadlock continued for a while, and
finally the hate demonstration was called off. Chased away by angry citizens, the
hate group members withdrew that day. It was a sound victory for the citizens
who bet their lives on the line and staged a non-violent protest. (By SATO
Kazuyuki) ＊photo=citizens stage a sit-in protest on the street.

“The
issue for the coming election is not Abenomics but the Constitution! Whether we
can defend the Constitution or let it be revised. We are facing a critical
stage. We should work desperately for a month to defend it,” YAMAGUCHI Jiro,
one of the organizers of the rally, said, encouraging the 40,000 people who
gathered in front of the Diet on June 5. Leaders of opposition parties firmly
joined hands and shouted in unison, “For the victory in the upper house election!”
Journalist TAKANO Hajime said, “I’m over 70, but I can’t die leaving this world
irresponsible. I see that 70% of the participants are elderly.This is a senior democracy in front of the
Diet. Folks, let us stand up once again!”Handmade placards seen here and there read, “Let’s go vote, not to war.”
A youth who seemed to be a high school student held a sign that read, “Mr. Abe,
do you enjoy destroying young people’s future?” It pained me. (By M) Youtube